Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sedgwick County leaders are debating how to make up a $10 million budget deficit by 2013, while ending with $0 in debt.
Bill Buchanan, Sedgwick County Manager, presented details of the budget to county commissioners Wednesday. He told commissioners they can expect to hear "reductions in services, changes in delivery of service and reduction in staff" over the next few months. Buchanan said everything is on the table.
"Get it over with," Buchanan said. "Let's not delay the pain."
The county is expected to begin budget talks next week.
Commission Chair Tim Norton said county departments must break down everything and find what needs to be fixed.
Last year the county cut $7 million from its budget and offered early retirement packages to employees to help. Buchanan said he doesn't expect the economy to get better quickly.
The first public hearing will be held on July 15. The commission will vote on a final budget August 15.
